NHECM ANIMAL SHOW

ELEMENTARY

Mrs. VanVactor enjoys a little companionship from a White Nose Coatimundi.

Elementary students got a special treat Thursday afternoon (12/6).  The National History Educational Company facilitated a wildlife show bringing a host of live animals to show our students.  With an enthusiasm for conservation, this group inspires interest and imagination in the hearts of children for a variety of animals they would never get to see this close.  Many of the animals on display Thursday afternoon spend their natural lives in the Rainforest habitat.  Students and teachers got the unique opportunity to see and touch these beautiful creatures.

Mrs. Moore and Mrs. Steele take their chances with a Burmese Python.

Mrs. Echols, Mrs. Mosier and Mrs. VanVactor all get in on the fun!

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FINE ARTS CHRISTMAS 2007

BAND

Thursday night's Fine Arts Christmas highlighted many of our uniquely gifted MJCA students.  Mitzi Lundy, MJCA band director, led three groups through a repertoire of both challenging and fun Christmas tunes.  Her youngest group made up of fifth and sixth grade students have only been playing musical instruments for two years, and their ability to master the difficulty level of the music selected was phenomenal.  Lundy's middle school band is filled with hard working students of music who also delivered a powerful performance.  The high school band, made up of eight students, displayed a unique expertise on their final selection in which each student was a soloist in different sections of the piece.  MJCA is truly blessed with an excellent music department!

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CHRISTMAS HAT DAY

SECONDARY

Secondary students showed their Christmas spirit today (12/14) by donning a festive piece of head gear!  The halls were alive with the feeling of Christmas as middle and high school students jingled their way to classes.

Mrs. Shoemaker's class gets in on the spirit!

Mr. Foreman and class celebrate Feliz Navidad!

A few juniors get in on the fun!

Christmas spirit spread to computer class!

Even teachers and principals couldn't resist!

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CHRISTMAS PARTIES

PRESCHOOL AND KINDERGARTEN

One step in the elementary hallway this Thursday (12/20) revealed an intense excitement about the holiday.  This last day of school brings for children not only the joy of getting out of school for a few weeks, but also the thrill of Christmas.  From arts and crafts to caroling to delicious party spreads, the elementary teachers and students had a wonderful day!

Preschool shows off their holiday sweatshirts!

Kindergarten students enjoy some playtime!

Mrs. Mulliniks reads about the "Gingerbread Man"!

Mrs. Moore's class enjoys play time!

Mrs. Scott's class gets surprised with third grade carolers!

Mrs. Scott's Christmas angels!

Mrs. Steele's class works on their Christmas journals!

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MJCA DRAMA

SCROOGE'S CHRISTMAS

Audiences were delighted by the three fantastic performances put on by our secondary drama students.  Friday, November 30th and Saturday, December 1st provided opportunity for these actors and actresses to show off their hard work over the semester.

Jerry England, as the Scrooge, did a wonderful job of portraying this sour, work-driven man who finds no joy in life and no meaning in Christmas.  Aalia Usmani played a wonderfully frightening Marley, Scrooge's deceased business partner.  It is Marley's message throughout the play along with the visits from the three spirits of Christmas that eventually give Scrooge a new perspective on the season.

Thanks to our students and our drama director, Joel Walsh, for inspiring the joy of Christmas within the hearts of all who came to watch. 

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SETTING SAIL

SECONDARY HISTORY

Emily Threadgill's edible explorer's ship was a delicious way to learn about history!

Mr. Turner's history class is finishing up a unit on historic exploration.  Students were given the option of constructing their own explorer's ship as a project in place of the unit test.  Several students took the challenge, but Threadgill's homemade cake was the most unique creation.  Students were able to both visualize what it must have been like on the open sea, and enjoy a sweet treat at the same time.  Who says learning history can't be satisfying?

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DECK THE HALLS

SECONDARY

Students in homeroom received some special holiday instructions today (12/11) during morning announcements.  Holiday bells were attached under desks in homeroom classrooms, and students seated in those desks made their way to Mrs. Kitchen's office for a little Christmas cheer.  A handful of winning students returned with reindeer antlers and elf hats to signify the season.  With Christmas carols playing through the intercom between classes, it is beginning to feel a lot like Christmas at MJCA.

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FINE ARTS CHRISTMAS 2007

CHORUS

The high school chorus takes the stage.

Thursday night (12/13), a large crowd enjoyed the sounds of Christmas from MJCA choral students.  Cindy Roberts, MJCA choral director, led both the middle and high school groups through sets of inspirational and heartwarming Christmas music.  With a mixture of religious and standard Christmas ballads, last night's performance had something for all ages.  The two performances also highlighted individual talents as several students stepped forward for solos. 

Listening to the sounds of these voices was a great way to prepare for the holidays!

Middle school chorus prepares for a great performance.

High school soloists step to the microphone.

Middle school students display their talent!

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PLAYGROUND RENOVATIONS

Even though there is a chill in the air and the trees have lost their leaves, the MJCA elementary playground got a much needed facelift this week.  As a result of generous parent donations, the students will get to enjoy an updated play area with new challenges and adventures.  The playground has been closed during the construction, but it will re-open soon for student use.  Thanks to those who saw a need and graciously worked to provide!

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BOX TOP FOOTBALL FRENZY

MJCA PTO

The MJCA PTO held a Box Tops for Education Football Frenzy competition from October 3 through December 10th.  There was an impressive amount of participation in the elementary..  MJCA first graders placed third in the competition. Kindergarten was a very close second, and the third grade classes of Mrs. Echols and Mrs. Parker won the competition!  These hardworking students were rewarded with an ice cream sundae party this Wednesday afternoon (12/19). Your MJCA PTO would like to thank everyone for participating.   Please keep collecting those Box Top squares!

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CHRISTMAS PARTIES

ELEMENTARY

The Grinch made an appearance in the elementary classroom today!

First-graders make Christmas crafts!

Mrs. Wilson's class sits down to a holiday feast!

Mrs. Martin's class races to open gifts!

Mrs. Echols classroom enjoys the warmth of an imaginary fire and smores!

Mrs. Mosier's class plays a holiday game!

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BMX BIKE SHOW

MATT WILHELM

MJCA students who sold more than three magazine subscriptions during our magazine fundraiser were excited recently by a visit from world-renowned bike performer Matt Wilhelm.  Students gathered in the gym to watch this X Games medalist ranked number three in the world perform a series of signature bike tricks, some of which are his exclusively. 

Matt travels all over the country performing exhibition shows, but his mind-blowing tricks are not the only part of his presentation.  He also delivers a valuable message to young people.  He encourages children to find an activity they are passionate about and practice it to perfection.  He encourages safety for bike riders in the audience, and most definitely exemplifies what hard work can help achieve.   

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ART CORNER

Mrs. York's secondary art students are working on creating beautifully vivid pastels this month.  There are more than a few excellent examples of this art medium displayed in her classroom on the track.  Some of her students are displaying a true gift for this form.  As always, stop by and take a look at MJCA's artists!

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MT. JULIET HELP CENTER

PRESCHOOL

Nearly 70 MJCA preschool students have been involved in a Christmas campaign the last few weeks.  Teachers and students have been working hard to collect toys for the Mt. Juliet Help Center.  This organization in turn provides an exciting Christmas morning for needy children in the Mt. Juliet area.  Students took time to pose on Friday (12/14) with the toys they collected before sending them to the Help Center for holiday distribution.

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  THE PERFECT GINGERBREAD HOUSE

Tuesday morning (12/18) was an exciting event for several elementary classes.  Students attempted to construct the perfect gingerbread house from some pretty delicious building materials.  Using graham crackers and icing as the foundation, each builder used a variety of toppings like marshmallows and gumdrops to adorn the exterior.  Students and teachers found a way to have a lot of fun in the process.

A kindergarten student finds the right decorations!

Another student from kindergarten puts icing on the masterpiece.

A first grader is pleased with the product.

Another first grader has a better idea for the icing!

Mrs. Parker's class is taking it seriously!

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CHRISTMAS PARTIES

SECONDARY

For high school students, Christmas party day brings a welcome relief from stressful exams and the happy promise of time off.  Students took time to enjoy some fun with friends and some great food before heading home for the holidays.

Senior guys enjoy some Christmas cheer!

Juniors relax after some great holiday food!

The Dishmans enjoy some holiday time!

Two junior guys entertain with holiday favorites!

Freshman exchange gifts!

Middle-school gets in on the good time!

Coach Christensen loves Christmas!!

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